First year teaching fourth grade - what do i do?

Question

It is my first year teaching. I am going to have 17 fourth graders. what are some things i can do to prepare myself for the first day of school... in a week?!!! HELP!

Answer 1

Ah, the first year jitters...I remember those (three years ago). The first thing you do is try not to make the classic "first year teacher" mistake. That mistake is trying to be "buddy buddy" with the kids. Wanting them to like you. Really, it doesn't matter what you do, because they won't like you at times. Walk into that classroom a confident teacher. Lay down the rules, but make sure that your students know that you trully care for them, and THAT's the reason for the rules. And once you lay down the rules, STICK TO THEM. consistency, consistency, CONSISTENCY. When students know what to expect, they will be better behaved and happier, and more apt to learn in that sort of situation.

Get to know your students. Get to know what bothers them, what hurts they have in their lives, what accomplishments they have achieved, their hobbies...be interested in them. Just do it at times other than classroom times. Eat lunch with them or something. After school in the car lines. Take an interest in THEM, it really does make a difference.

Just be confident, assured, prepared, and have fun! Teaching is the best career I could have chosen. It's hard, but it's the most rewarding. God bless you as you endeavor to influence these fourth graders.

Answer 2

Fourth grade is lots of fun. You'll like it. :)
I like to let the class create the rules on the first day. Don't get me wrong, I steer them to things too, but they do a great job of figuring out the most important basic rules for a classroom. When they break the rule, you can totally guilt them since they're the ones who made them up. :P Oh, and it teaches them civic duty and all that stuff.

Definitely explain the rules and procedures for the class, and practice them more than you would think necessary. It's been my experience that the older kids get, the louder they are in the halls. Don't be that teacher.

Icebreakers are a must. I think people have already given you some good examples of some to use.

Have the students write a letter to themselves about what they expect to achieve in the 4th grade. At the end of the year the students can open their letters and see how much they've grown. They'll get a huge kick out of their handwriting and spelling.

Oh wait, I just realized you asked what you could do to prepare. Get your desks arranged and put up the essentials on the wall. Don't freak out if you don't think your room looks perfect. For one, it doesn't actually matter. And two, most of the other teachers will talk about how neat your room looks (less clutter).

Good luck this year!!! :)

Answer 3

Spend the first day of school getting to know the children in your class and having them get to know each other. You might not be the only new one in the class.
You could make a "break the ice" sheet with simple questions such as:
Someone who likes spaghetti.
Someone who has been out of the country.
Someone who has seen a shark up close.
Someone whose birthday in is August, etc and have them go around the room asking the other kids where they can put there name on the page. This will get them talking to each other and to you. You could also have them explain what they did during the Summer.
The first day should be relaxed for all of you. Spend the time establishing the rules of your classroom and your expectations. Assign desks, lockers, take them on a tour so they know where the bathrooms, cafateria, library are. It's important to get off to a good start but remember the first day can be chaotic (lunchroom is behind schedule, equipment isn't working, etc.)so you will have to roll with the punches. It may be a good idea to get a packet of funsheets together that they can be working on when they enter the room and are waiting for others to get settled. Make these in advance since the line at the copy machine is ALWAYS long!
Some extra advise, our teachers make copies for the other teachers in that grade level while they are already at the machine. Work-share. Also, as they are creating their lesson plans, some make the copies needed for the following year and keep them in files in their desks so that they only have to prepare every other year.
Above all else- remain positive and pleasant to all. For some kids it may be the only affection and attention they get.
Good luck and thanks for making a difference in their lives.

Answer 4

There's a really good book full of ideas called "The First Days Of School: How To Be An Effective Teacher" by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong.

It would probably help you come up with some ideas that help you to face that class with confidence from Day 1. Only 17of them? Congrats!

Answer 5

Fourth grade is a good year. They are past the crying stage yet still young enough to adore their teachers. The most important advice anyone gave me my first year was to be consistent. Lay out your rules and enforce them - period. No exceptions.

Surf the net for first day activities. There are tons of good ones out there. If you don't know about enchantedlearning.com go check it out.

Talk to your other team members. Many new teachers don't ask questions because they fear they will seem incompetent. But, the more experienced teachers will actually admire you for asking and will most likely bend over backwards to make your first year go as smoothly as possible.

Have a super year!

Answer 6

Didnt you do some teaching already as part of your training/education? Go back on that for ideas, and learn the 4th grade cirriculum ahead of time to come up with ideas for the 1st day....or better yet relax and just get to know the kids the 1st day, plenty of time during the school year to stress out! Good Luck

Answer 7

Write a letter of introduction to parents, and a letter explaining classroom rules, homework policy, grading policy etc. - have that get signed and returned.

Your first day will set the tone for the year, so you need to let the kids know who is in charge and what is expected of them. Be prepared to share personal stories with them so they can get to know you and "connect" with you early on. I still remember that my 3rd grade teacher LOVED frogs. She told us On the first day, and it was a theme throughout the year (and that was ((Gulp)) 25 years ago!).

Get in and decorate your room, leaving space for student art and projects.

create classroom accomplishment charts, seating charts, get familiar with any grading programs you may have access too (I recommend Gradekeeper...you can download it at www.gradekeeper.com - a building site license is only $100)

There is a lot to do!
But at the end of the first day, you will be relieved!

Answer 8

Set out the rules on the first day-that way they know they can't mess around with you cause you are serious. Let them know that you demand respect and you will give it back. Fourth graders are tough, you gotta be tough too.

Answer 9

Ok...
Icebreakers are always good
-A name game of some kind, tell a funny fact about yourself, a trait about yourself that starts with the same letter as your first name (ex. crazy chelsea, laughin' laura)
-Every kid wants a cool teacher
-Lay down rules so they respect you, but also like you
-Make a few jokes...but not too many...you don't want them to get out of hand
-Make a paper that asks things about the child (parent's name, birthday, fav. color, do they have pets, their name, do they have a nickname that they would rather be called, fav. subject in school, fav. book, fav. game)...it will make them feel like you want to know them...you have to spend a year with them...you might as well know them

good luck

Answer 10

congrats! Be yourself....maybe try something different not the same old how was your summer....jump right in with "I;m sure you had a great summer kids,but I want you to make me your Christmas list and tell me why you want what is on your list".....I think you learn lots about them that way and you will have shown them you are not going to be a bore....good luck and ty tis a tough job